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Positive psychology isn't just about "thinking happy thoughts"—it's a rigorous scientific framework for understanding what makes life worth living. In GENED 1025, you're being tested on your ability to distinguish between different pathways to well-being: intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation, hedonic vs. eudaimonic happiness, and individual vs. relational flourishing. These theories form the backbone of the course because they offer competing (and sometimes complementary) answers to the central question: what actually makes people happy, and why?
The theories below aren't isolated ideas—they connect to each other in meaningful ways. Seligman's work evolved from Authentic Happiness to PERMA. Self-Determination Theory explains why flow states feel so good. Mindfulness practices enhance the gratitude that Broaden-and-Build says we need. Don't just memorize definitions—know what psychological mechanism each theory emphasizes and how it relates to the others. That's what separates a strong exam response from a mediocre one.
These theories focus on what drives human behavior and the psychological conditions necessary for flourishing. The core insight: sustainable happiness comes from within, not from external rewards.
Compare: Self-Determination Theory vs. Growth Mindset—both emphasize internal drivers of success, but SDT focuses on environmental conditions (autonomy, competence, relatedness) while Growth Mindset focuses on individual beliefs about ability. If asked about motivation in relationships, go with SDT; for academic or achievement contexts, Growth Mindset is your stronger example.
These theories examine how we experience the present moment and why certain activities feel deeply satisfying. The mechanism: full attention creates optimal psychological states.
Compare: Flow vs. Mindfulness—both involve intense present-moment focus, but flow requires active engagement with a challenging task, while mindfulness cultivates receptive awareness of whatever arises. Flow is about doing; mindfulness is about being. Both reduce rumination, but through different mechanisms.
These theories explore how positive mental states build resources over time. The key insight: positive emotions aren't just pleasant—they're functionally useful for survival and growth.
Compare: Broaden-and-Build vs. Gratitude Theory—Broaden-and-Build explains the mechanism (positive emotions expand thinking), while Gratitude Theory identifies a specific practice that generates those emotions. Think of gratitude as one reliable way to trigger the broaden-and-build process.
These theories attempt to capture the full picture of human flourishing—not just feeling good, but living well. They integrate multiple components into unified models.
Compare: Authentic Happiness vs. PERMA—both are Seligman's frameworks, but PERMA is the evolution. Authentic Happiness emphasized three lives (pleasant, engaged, meaningful); PERMA adds Relationships and Accomplishment as independent contributors to well-being. Know this progression—it shows how the field's understanding deepened.
| Concept | Best Examples |
|---|---|
| Intrinsic motivation | Self-Determination Theory, Flow Theory, Growth Mindset |
| Present-moment focus | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Flow Theory |
| Cognitive reframing | Learned Optimism, Gratitude Theory, Growth Mindset |
| Resource building | Broaden-and-Build Theory, Character Strengths |
| Comprehensive well-being | PERMA Model, Authentic Happiness Theory |
| Basic psychological needs | Self-Determination Theory (autonomy, competence, relatedness) |
| Meaning and purpose | PERMA Model, Authentic Happiness Theory, Character Strengths |
| Resilience | Learned Optimism, Growth Mindset, Broaden-and-Build |
Which two theories both emphasize present-moment awareness but differ in whether the person is actively engaged versus receptively observing? What's the key distinction?
How did Seligman's framework evolve from Authentic Happiness Theory to the PERMA Model? What elements were added, and why might they matter independently?
Compare Self-Determination Theory and Growth Mindset: both address motivation, but one focuses on environmental conditions and the other on individual beliefs. Which would you use to explain why a supportive mentor increases well-being?
If an essay prompt asks you to explain how positive emotions contribute to long-term resilience (not just momentary pleasure), which theory provides the strongest mechanistic explanation? What's the mechanism?
Gratitude practice, identifying signature strengths, and cognitive reframing are all interventions. Match each to its parent theory and explain what psychological process each targets.